Andrew Wong: A Life Through Food
Jaega Wise meets the man taking inspiration from history, to transform modern assumptions about Chinese cuisine.
βItβs about trying to paint pictures β of different places, different moments in time, throughout Chinaβs past.β
Andrew Wong grew up helping out in his parentsβ Chinese restaurant in central London, convinced that he would never work in hospitality himself.
But the βmagicβ of the industry drew him in β and today heβs chef-patron of a restaurant on the very same site as his parentsβ place, but totally transformed.
In the decade or so since its launch, A.Wong has built a reputation for lunchtime dim sum, with an evening menu showcasing imaginative interpretations of regional and historical delicacies: from βBarbecued Forbidden City Sweetcorn with Wagyu Beef Meat Paste and Truffleβ to βToasted Sweet Potato with Salted Black Bean Sauce, Black Tapioca and Liquorice Soyβ. Itβs also the first Chinese restaurant outside Asia to have earned two Michelin stars.
Jaega Wise visits the Pimlico restaurant to find out how Andrewβs fascination with Chinaβs food heritage has inspired this unique dining experience; one that seeks to bring to life a rich and diverse culinary culture.
We also hear from cook and food writer Fuchsia Dunlop, who specialises in Chinese gastronomy and has written six books on the countryβs cuisine; and Dr Mukta Das, a research associate for the Food Studies Centre at Londonβs SOAS University, focusing on Chinese food and culture β who collaborates with Andrew to dig into dishes and delicacies from the past.
Presented by Jaega Wise
Producer by Lucy Taylor in Bristol
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- Sun 8 Aug 2021 12:32ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 FM
- Mon 9 Aug 2021 15:30ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
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